ON THE SMALL BIRDS OF FLIGHT. 
No. V. 
ON THE SMALL BIRDS OF FLIGHT; BY THE 
HON"!s DAINES BARRINGTON. 
EN the suburbs of London (and particularly 
about Shoreditch) are several weavers and other 
tradesmen, who, during the months of October 
and Méarch, get their livelihood by an ingeni- 
ous, and we may say, a scientific method of 
bird-catching, which is totally unknown in other 
parts of Great Britain. 
The reason of this trade being confined to so 
small a compass, arises from there being no 
considerable sale for singing birds except in the 
metropolis: as the apparatus for this purpose 
is also heavy, and at the same time must be 
carried on a man’s back, it prevents the bird- 
eatchers going to above three or four miles 
distance. ? 
This method of bird-catching must have been 
long practised, as it is brought to a most syste- 
matical perfection, and is attended with a very 
considerable expence. ~ 
‘The nets are a most ingenious piece of me- 
315 
